The Ways of Eternity

by D.A. Dean

Chapter 15: Swept Away

  Arms clasped around Teo's waist, Horus transported through a streak of lights from the grasses of Isis' closed garden to just beside the clearing's hut.

  Nalia, sitting mending mats, leapt up. "Teo! Horus!" She rushed to them.

  Teo dropped the sacks of pomegranates and staggered forward.

  "Hi," Horus said to Nalia and helped Teo sit. He knelt in front of him. Teo's eyes were swimming. Had being transported hurt him? Worried, Horus asked, "You okay?"

  It was a moment before Teo's gaze focused. He sat forward, face bright, smile stretched wide. "That was great. Oh, Mother, you've got to try it sometime." Laughing, he playfully jostled Horus' arm. "If I could do that, I don't think I'd ever walk anywhere again. Mother, it was amazing." He fell back with a sigh, crooked his arms under his head, and gazed up at the night's first stars. "Amazing."

  Horus tilted his head. "It was just a swirl of colors. It only lasted a moment."

  "That's what you think." Teo chuckled, and returned his attention to the sky. "Curious?" he asked and gave Nalia a quick grin.

  Horus scooted closer. "Well, yeah. So tell me."

  Dreamy eyed, Teo sat. "How do I explain it? First, I felt a vibration. It started in my feet then spread up my calves to my thighs then my stomach and chest, shoulders, and arms. The sensation built and then seemed to burst inside me. We began to lift, and I felt these waves of warmth. I've never felt so relaxed, even just a little while ago in your mother's garden when I couldn't stay awake. Then we were moving, and the air swept around us, caressing me all over. I've never felt anything like it. My whole body was singing."

  Horus studied him, puzzling. "I never felt all that."

  "What happened next?" Nalia asked, leaning nearer.

  "Ah, next." Teo smiled. "Lights. Colors. Dizzying. Glorious. Streaking, swirling, everywhere. So beautiful, I never could've imagined." He turned his wondering gaze to Horus. "I felt you, too. Not your arms around me, I don't mean that, or you behind me. Something else, something more. I felt you, and you were streaming through me."

  A strange intensity joined the languidness in Teo's eyes. Confused and unable to name what he felt in response, Horus moistened his lips.

  Softly, Nalia told Teo, "You've had an experience beyond any human. Never let it go."

  "I know. And I won't. Oh, we brought pomegranates," Teo said, gaze fixed to Horus.

  "Yes, I—" Nalia stopped, brows lifted. She stood. "Yes. I think I'll just go and take care of the sacks. Maybe wash them in the waves." Tenderly, she stroked the back of Teo's head then said to Horus, "I'm glad you were able to find your mother's garden."

  Captivated and flustered by Teo's stare, compelling, alluring, Horus replied, "Um, uh-huh. Thanks."

  Nalia quickly gathered the baskets and moved off toward the shore.

  Should he have offered to help? Horus remained motionless, unable to tear his gaze from Teo's.

  Teo leaned nearer, drew his hand across Horus' cheek, and kissed him.

  Warmth rushed through Horus' face and chest. What was happening? His thoughts faded, his focus shifting fully to this new sensation. "Mm."

  Exhaling hard, Teo jerked back. His eyes widened. Then, brows drawn down, shoulder muscles tight, he clenched his jaw and turned away.

  Working to catch his breath, Horus tipped back his head. He hungered for Teo to kiss him again. Why? It made no sense. His mother and Nalia had kissed him many times, but he'd never felt anything like this. His body ached with longing—for what? He wrapped his hands over his knees and deepened his breathing. Keeping his voice quiet and even, he said, "Please, I need you to explain this to me."

  "No." Staring into the distance, Teo pressed his palms against his forehead. "Look, I'm sorry I kissed you like that. Okay? Can we just leave it—"

  "I didn't mind. In fact—"

  "No," Teo interjected forcefully. "Don't tell me."

  "But why? You wanted to kiss me—"

  "No," Teo whispered.

  "And I liked it. I want you to do it again."

  "Stop it," Teo demanded roughly. "Isn't it enough I have to live with my shame? Why torment me?"

  "But I don't understand. How am I tormenting you?" Horus stretched his hand toward Teo's cheek.

  "Don't." Teo angled away, clenching and unclenching his jaw. The air around him seemed to vibrate. He grabbed Horus' shoulders and stared into his eyes.

  Horus drew a breath, heart pounding, body aflame.

  Teo shoved Horus back and closed his eyes, his breath coming quick and hard. "Now you know."

  But what was he meant to understand? Horus knew only Teo was withholding a mystery he desired—no, needed. Sliding his hand behind Teo's neck, he leaned nearer. "I see no reason for shame."

  "Stop."

  "Why? You don't want me to."

  "I need you to." Teo's expression was pained.

  Horus dropped his hand and sat back.

  "I've never desired a man. I have to find a way to force this away. I know you couldn't have known. I'm telling you now. It's wrong."

  Horus shook his head hard. "Aren't you the one who said not to deny feelings? Aren't you the one who said heed and learn—"

  "I'm telling you what to learn," Teo shouted and wrapped his hands around his knees, his knuckles pale and shining.

  Horus thrust out his jaw. He wanted to jump up and shout back. Instead, he took a breath and did as Nalia had taught, acknowledging his emotion and, finding it counter to his deeper feelings, letting it pass. Spreading his hands over his thighs, he said calmly, "It's a contradiction."

  "Horus, men don't love each other that way," Teo said, voice flat, and angled away. "Stop staring at me. I can't explain it. That's just the way it is. And you have to accept that, just like I do."

  Horus' brow lifted. "I don't have to accept anything. Or do you forget who I am?"

  Teo gave a mirthless laugh. "Do I forget?"

  "I—mm," Horus pressed his lips together and rubbed his neck. "I didn't mean—"

  "You ask me that? Sitting here more beautiful than anyone has a right to be, able to do these wondrous things, glowing golden and staring at me with those brilliant eyes of a blue I could only have seen in a dream? With you, I've seen things I could only imagine, and I know it's just the beginning, just a hint of what you'll do, who you'll become. And then you tell me I'm like a brother to you—to you, a Child of Ra."

  Teo drew his knees to his chest and fastened his arms around his legs. "You listen to me and value my thoughts. You listen to me and value my feelings. You thank me for what I do and show me daily how much you care for me. You're a friend to me like none I've known, and you treat Mother with such love and devotion anyone would think she bore you. You love us unconditionally and offer us kindness after kindness. Oh, Horus," he said and bowed his head, "how could I not love you? How could I resist you? How could anyone but a mother?"

  Teo shielded his eyes then dropped his hand to his knee and nodded. "I know who you are. I need you to know who I am. I'm a man of the village. I'm a man of this world. And I can't love you like that. I have to push the feeling away. If I don't, I'll go mad."

  Blinking, Horus stretched his hand over his mouth. There were so many things he wanted to say, so many feelings he wanted to express. The anguish and fear he saw in his friend stopped him. He laced his fingers and lowered his gaze. "I don't agree with the people of your village. But I'll respect what you've asked of me."

  Teo brushed his cheeks with his fist. "I know sometimes this world, its contradictions, must not make sense to you. It doesn't always make sense to me. But this is the world I live in. It's the world I know. Still, though I can't love you that way, I do love you. Never doubt that."

  "I know. I love you, too, and I want you to be happy."

  There was only a trace of sadness in Teo's smile. "I am happy when I'm with you."


  "I'm back," Nalia called from midway along the trail. She wound her way over to the table, repositioned the baskets, and lay the sacks to dry. "A special treat came while you were gone."

  "Honey?" Horus scanned the table for the pot.

  Nalia touched Teo's shoulder, smiled at Horus, and sat. "You may have some tomorrow after breakfast."

  Trying not to sound petulant, Horus asked, "Not now?"

  "Could you eat only a little now?"

  "Hm. Probably not." The frogs, so loud only moments ago, had stopped singing. Horus tilted his head and turned toward the marsh. "That's strange."

  Teo stiffened. "Quiet."

  From the marsh came the sound of something large slapping against water.

  "It's coming from there," Teo said and pointed. "Maybe it's just a croc getting bolder."

  Several birds shot up from the edge of the marsh, and Horus jumped. A roar filled his ears.

  Teo pulled his knife from beneath his mat.

  Protectively, Horus put his arm around Nalia's shoulder.

  "Stay with Mother," Teo ordered and stood.

  Horus leapt up and grabbed Teo's arm. "No, we stay together."

  Gold flashed between the reeds.

  Antuus? No, he was in Isis' garden.

  Dropping to a crouch, Teo tipped up his knife.

  Horus widened his stance. "I want a weapon. A spear."

  "You don't know how to use one."

  "I've watched you practice."

  Sliding closer to Nalia, Teo inclined his head toward the baskets. "They're half-hidden in the grass—"

  "Behind the table. I know."

  Teo gave him a hard look from the corner of his eye. "The stones on the ends are sharp. Grab the wood. Go."

  Horus darted behind the table, closed his hands around as many of the weapons as he could, ran back, and dropped them beside Teo. Grasping one, he fought to balance its weight.

  "Not like that." Gaze to the marsh, Teo lifted a spear. "Like this," he said and held it shoulder high, his hands fastened around the middle of its length. "Watch Mother."

  Horus took position between them. "You know how to use a spear?" he whispered to her.

  "When I have to," Nalia answered, edging her hand along her weapon.

  They stood poised, shoulder to shoulder.

  Horus stared, eyes straining, into the blackness of the marsh, the sound of his heart's thumping filling his ears. His arms, tight and aching, began to shake. "Should we go out and find it?"

  Another group of birds burst into flight, and Horus dropped his spear. Hissing at himself, he lifted it again and tightened his grip. Suddenly, his fear dissipated. Muscles relaxing, he lowered his weapon.

  "What are you doing? Hold it up," Teo commanded.

  "I'm going to have a look." Horus let his spear fall and strolled toward the marsh.

  Teo dug his fingers into Horus' shoulder, halting him.

  "Ouch. Let go. It's safe."

  The wind shifted, blowing back the sounds of the ocean. Except for the grinding of Teo's teeth, there was silence.

  Horus shrugged off Teo's hand. "I don't know how I know, I just do."

  Eyes flashing, Teo rounded on him. "Not good enough. Tell me why."

  Surprised, Horus took a step back. "Alright. I'll try. We saw the reeds moving from something other than the wind, the birds take flight, then something gold-colored. Then we heard—"

  "Was it gold-colored or was it real gold?"

  "I've never seen real gold. We heard a roar. More birds flew away. I haven't seen or heard anything else." Scanning, Horus pricked his ears. Padded footfalls. Low panting. "Antuus!" Overcome with excitement, he sprinted toward the marsh, Teo at his heels, trying to tackle him.

  Antuus emerged from the reeds, mane shifting, mouth open, tail held high.

  Teo slowed, letting Horus go.

  "Oh, Antuus!" Horus knelt, arms open wide, and Antuus crashed into him, sending him sprawling.

  Holding Horus down with a paw to the chest, the lion began licking him.

  "I'm so glad to see you." Horus sat and pressed his face against the lion's mane. "I was afraid I'd never—oh." He chewed his lip. "Thank you, Mother."

  "You're welcome," Isis replied. "Thank Antuus."

  Horus returned his attention to the lion. "Thank you for coming."

  Antuus flopped onto his side then turned onto his back and rolled, legs kicking the air.

  "Well, hey, there, Antuus." Teo grabbed one of his paws, and they sparred playfully.

  Brushing himself off, Horus stood.

  Teo caught hold of Antuus' mane, looked pointedly at Horus, and warrior and lion tackled him together.

  "Hey," Horus protested, letting them hold him, Teo tickling, Antuus licking. He was allowed up, and they changed sides. "I think it's time for a certain someone else to have a turn." He gave Teo a sidelong look and raised an eyebrow. "Nalia," he called sweetly.

  "Oh, no, you don't," Nalia said, holding up a hand.

  Horus crept toward her, Teo and Antuus following just behind.

  Nalia took several steps back, and Horus sprang to his feet. Eyes twinkling, she darted behind the stone table, where she crouched and bobbed, daring them on.

  "You take left," Horus told Teo, "and you, right, Antuus. I'll go over. Come on."

  Nalia dropped to her knees, scurried under the slab, and ran. She turned her head and laughed, her hair flowing out behind her.

  They followed, the night bright with merriment, Nalia circling the hut and dashing to the sea. The nearly-full moon had brought the waves close to their high mark, and she was up to her waist in moments. Teo and Horus splashed in, sending sprays of water at her and each other. Antuus stood on the shore, dipping and shaking his paws. He shook his head and roared.

  "Don't like getting wet?" Horus asked, the waves floating him closer.

  Ears twitching, Antuus' flicked his tail. He bowed and wrinkled his nose.

  "Oh, I get it. So you want to play, huh?" Horus crawled along the sand, water lapping his back.

  Antuus tore off along the shore, Horus chasing him. He spun, and Horus reversed direction, bounding back into the sea. Antuus lowered his head and dived in, knocking Horus' legs from under him.

  Horus wiped the briny water from his face. "Didn't expect that."

  Nalia emerged from a part in the wave that crested across Horus' chest. "Hello," she said, smiling, and smoothed back her hair.

  "Hello," Horus returned, splashing her lightly. "Where's Teo?" Horus' feet were pushed out from under him. He popped back up and shook his head at Teo's grin. "Oh, yeah?" He threw himself forward, pulling Teo down by the shoulders.

  Antuus alternated between swatting and snapping randomly at the tops of the waves, hanging his tongue out and shaking his head with each success. He flipped, sending a plume of water over his companions.

  Sighing contentedly, Horus let the waves buoy him. "How is it the water's so warm when the night's so cold?"

  "No idea," Teo replied, "but I would've appreciated it if you'd warmed the lake earlier."

  Antuus stopped playing and stared at them.

  Horus lowered his feet to sand. "You think it's me?"

  "Don't know. What do you think, Mother?" Teo asked, turning to her, but Nalia was staring at the water in horror.

  The clouds passing the moon split, and its light shone down on the sea. The deep blue-green of the sea's waves were streaked bright blood red.

  Teo gestured frantically toward shore. "Get out of the water!" He spun back and submerged.

  "Teo!" Fingers locked around Nalia's arm, Horus plunged his head beneath the waves, but, eyes burning, he couldn't see through the murk. He thrust his head up. "Teo!" Finally, he spotted him, caught in swift-moving waves, far from shore. His mind raced. An undertow? But that wouldn't explain the water's transformation. "I'm coming!"

  "No! Get out! There's—" the sea silenced him,
its churning water pulling him under.

  "Help him, Horus!" Nalia clutched Horus' shoulders. "Help him!"

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